Cue sports player Uma Devi, the most prominent among the athletes present, was given a cheque of Rs 35,700 for her participation in the Ladies Wolrd Billiards Championship in the United Kingdom in April.
Taekwondo players N Raksha, Kavana K Shetty, speed climber Shivalinga, veteran athlete VO Samagonda and wrestler Padmanna Hire Kurumbar also received cheques from Girish Patel, vice-chairman, SAK. Emerging tennis player Vinod Gowda’s father received a cheque for Rs 2 lakh in his absence.
Discus thrower Vikas Gowda and billiards player Chitra Magimairaj were given a grant of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 53,800 respectively this year.
SAK announced it had given grants of Rs 53, 79, 861 from April 1 till date to sports associations affiliated to it and special grants of Rs 30, 95,000 to affiliated associations.
BN Suresh, director-general, SAK said he hoped the cash incentives would act as a motivation to athletes to perform in future events.
